Archives - Musicians on the Charlottesville City Council
March 2002
Charlottesville City Council Race 2002: Musicians on the Charlottesville City Council
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Incumbent Democrat Kevin Lynch was a founding member of the former band Baaba Seth.

Former contender for the Democratic nomination for City Council in 2002 Joan Fenton is a musician and WC Handy Award Winner for the Blues.

George,

On the subject of musicians on council:

If we are truly a world class city, lets get World Class musicians on our council. Dave Matthews, Corey Harris and John McCutcheon are a good place to
start. . Shannon Worrell would be great as well.

Since I can only think of four, I would be willing to be the fifth, as I am a WC Handy award winner,
which is an international award for the blues, I would agree to serve if they agree.

I know at least 2 of us are city Democrats. AT the very least we would have entertaining council sessions.

Joan Fenton (electronic mail, March 7, 2002)

Republican candidate for the Charlottesville City Council in 2002 Rob Schilling is a musician and was a member of the former band "The Sneaks." Schilling says that he is the one in the band that looks like Johnny Ramone (electronic mail, March 1, 2002).

Johhny Ramone (courtesy of Rhino Records)

In his press packet, Schilling touts "20 years recording, performing, composition, and direction" and that he "[c]urrently directs [a] contemporary choir at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish [and will soon release a new CD, 'Sing a Psalm]."

Independent candidate for the Charlottesville City Council in 2002 Stratton Salidis is both a musician and a songwriter and "is featured playing guitar on the CD "The King of My Living Room" [a CD which also features Brady Earnhart, Danny Schmidt, Lance Brenner (of the Naked Puritans), and Jan Smith - available at Spencer's 206 and Plan 9] " (Jake Mooney, The Daily Progress, March 6, 2002).

Stratton Salidis at 2001 25th Senate District Democratic Nominating Convention

And former mayor and city councilman Tom Vandever [D] was a member (rhythm guitar) of Johnny and the Midnights ("red hot rhythm and blues") at the time of his election to council in 1988.

Rockin' Tom Vandever playing rhythum and blues

Says Vandever, "we even played a fundraiser at the C&O with the Stoned Wheat Things during the campaign. I seem to recall that one of my campaign pledges was "make Charlottesville safe for rock 'n' roll..." (electronic mail, March 5, 2002).

Tom Vandever on a roll in a game between the Charlottesville Cardinals and the Toronto Spitfires - 1999

Vandever remarks, the "1988-96 period was perhaps the "golden age" in Charlottesville for musicians (see Dave Matthews Band) ... I don't know if you recall, but Boyd Tinsley used to be a member of the [Charlottesville] Democratic Committee.

As for glass ceilings [for how many musicians can serve on the Charlottesville City Council at any one time] -- I think the ceiling is definitely five councilors. I've been in some meetings with some strange harmonies" (electronic mail, March 6, 2002).

How many musicians have run for and/or served on the Charlottesville City Council?

Has Charlottesville become safer for rock 'n' roll since 1998?

Is there a glass ceiling for how many musicians can serve on the Charlottesville City Council at any one time?

Should the Democratic ticket of Caravati & Searls develop a campaign song?

George,

I do not play an instrument although I have a burning desire to learn. Maybe sometime in the future after my public service. I was a devoted Dead Head for a number of years, so maybe that qualifies.

Is the Council safe for rock and roll? Well I guess? It certainly is safe for the Texas Two step already.

I do not think there is a [glass] ceiling for Italian-Americans or francophones. I am not sure which of those groups is more important but think they all bring positives to the mix.

I think the idea of a campaign song is a great one. Please solicit ideas from your readers.

Blake Caravati (electronic mail, March 6, 2002)

Please send your thoughts to george@loper.org where the most representative comments will be placed on my web site with full attribution.

Comments? Questions? Write me at george@loper.org.